anemone

play

noun anem·o·ne \ ə-ˈne-mə-nē \

Definition of anemone

1 :any of a large genus (Anemone) of perennial herbs of the buttercup family having lobed or divided leaves and showy flowers without petals but with conspicuous sepals — called also windflower

2 :sea anemone

See anemone defined for English-language learners

See anemone defined for kids

Recent Examples of anemone from the Web

Undersea worlds of corals, anemones and rare marine species.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Trump’s penchant for revisionist history on display during Arizona rally," 23 Aug. 2017
Malinowski said that since beginning the work in 2013, his students have seen a dramatic increase in the diversity of animals underwater, including sponges, anemones, shrimp and crab.

— nina agrawal, latimes.com, "The return of a native New Yorker: Whales," 18 Aug. 2017
A LUSH, LOW-EFFORT PLAN Under a canopy of tall trees and shrubs, designer Weaner created a leafy carpet of native ground covers, like groundsel, Canada anemone and heuchera.

— martha stewart, star-telegram, "Gardener learns to work with Mother Nature, instead of against her," 12 Aug. 2017
Wide gravel paths that wind past wisteria and Japanese anemones make this fabled, three-quarters-of-an-acre lot seem as continuous as a public park.

— janet eastman, OregonLive.com, "Garden columnist Dulcy Mahar's fabled house and landscape are for sale (photos)," 1 Aug. 2017
Their drive’s payload was a gene that encodes red fluorescent protein, a substance normally found in a species of sea anemone.

— The Economist, "Gene drivesA promising means of pest control meets some evolutionary truths," 22 July 2017
The ruby fish was photo worthy with pretty lime radishes, shaped like a delicate sea anemone; a sprig of yellow wasabi flowers; and burgundy Bing cherries.

— suzanne loudermilk, baltimoresun.com, "Seafood suits Johnny's, but the prices don't," 13 July 2017
Christmas anemones can be packaged in bright reds and greens.

— clark fair, Alaska Dispatch News, "Colorful kaleidoscope of marine life in Homer tidepools," 8 July 2017
Here's something colorful and patriotic to celebrate: In June and July, every state in the U.S. is producing flowers, from anemones to zinnias, and the quintessentially American Shasta Daisy.

— janet eastman, OregonLive.com, "Funny people with 4th of July pride pose with American-grown flowers (photos)," 3 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anemone.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of anemone

Latin, from Greek anemōnē

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1548

See Words from the same year

Other Invertebrates (Except Insects) Terms

cephalopod, quahog

ANEMONE Defined for English Language Learners

anemone

play

noun

Definition of anemone for English Language Learners

: a type of garden plant that has white, purple, or red flowers

ANEMONE Defined for Kids

anemone

noun anem·o·ne \ ə-ˈne-mə-nē \

Definition of anemone for Students

1 :a plant that blooms in spring and is often grown for its large white or colored flowers

2 :sea anemone

Medical Dictionary

anemone

play

noun anem·o·ne \ ə-ˈnem-ə-nē \

medical Definition of anemone

1 capitalized :a genus of herbs of the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) widely distributed in temperate and subarctic regions that have lobed or divided leaves and showy flowers and that include some (as a pasqueflower) used medicinally especially formerly

2 :a plant or flower of the genus Anemone

Learn More about anemone

See words that rhyme with anemone Spanish Central: Translation of anemone Nglish: Translation of anemone for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about anemone

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up anemone? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

anemone

Definition of anemone

Recent Examples of anemone from the Web

Origin and Etymology of anemone

Other Invertebrates (Except Insects) Terms

ANEMONE Defined for English Language Learners

anemone

Definition of anemone for English Language Learners

ANEMONE Defined for Kids

anemone

Definition of anemone for Students

Medical Dictionary

anemone

medical Definition of anemone

Learn More about anemone

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

glabrous

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

What's Going On With 'Nonplussed'?

Welcome to the New Words

9 Slang Words With Academic Origins

8 Foods Named After Real People

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

Name that Color!

Name That Thing

SCRABBLE® Sprint

What's Going On With 'Nonplussed'?

9 Slang Words With Academic Origins

Trending: 'Bodega' Startup Draws Criticism, Mockery

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

Words of the Year: 1066

anemone

Definition of anemone

Explore M-W

Recent Examples of anemone from the Web

Origin and Etymology of anemone

Other Invertebrates (Except Insects) Terms

ANEMONE Defined for English Language Learners

anemone

Definition of anemone for English Language Learners

ANEMONE Defined for Kids

anemone

Definition of anemone for Students

Medical Dictionary

anemone

medical Definition of anemone

Learn More about anemone

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

What's Going On With 'Nonplussed'?

9 Slang Words With Academic Origins

Trending: 'Bodega' Startup Draws Criticism, Mockery

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

Words of the Year: 1066